They were flying the union flag upside down at the Rangiri Stadium yesterday and they were not wrong because England were sending out distress signals throughout the day. England have now lost eight of their last nine ODIs against Sri Lanka and this overwhelming 119-run defeat will fill Paul Collingwood's team with foreboding for the four matches ahead.

England's batsmen had practised for Muttiah Muralitharan, only to twig belatedly that he was injured. Instead they capitulated against the fluctuating pace of Farveez Maharoof, who had disappointed on Sri Lanka's tour of England last summer but looked a different proposition as he took the first three wickets within 17 balls. He then ended Alastair Cook's resistance to finish with four for 31.

Classic English bowling tactics were enough to beat India 4-3 at home this summer: consistent, aggressive back-of-a-length bowling, encouraged by their now-departed bowling coach Allan Donald. In Sri Lanka it proved inadequate. Collingwood, the captain, admitted: "It was a real eye-opener for us. We have to come up with different skills, but it takes time. Maharoof bowled with different skills and mixed it up with a lot of slower balls."

This was England's first 50-overs match after the inaugural World Twenty20 tournament in South Africa, and it was a tame, one-sided affair which encouraged the suspicion that over time the format will give way to its younger, brasher cousin. A sluggish, low pitch drained the life from the game and the smattering of England fans among the crowd of 5,000 could not even drown their sorrows, the Buddhist monks from whom the land is leased having prohibited sales of alcohol.

Even England's selection was controversial with Monty Panesar omitted in favour of Nottinghamshire's off-spinning all-rounder Graeme Swann. In part, this was due to the need to find a way to replace Andrew Flintoff, but it also indicated England's frustration with Panesar's predictable approach in the one-day game where his ambitions seem bent purely on survival. Panesar has been in just 25 ODIs and he will only develop by playing, but it will do him no harm to ponder upon his limitations. "Without Freddie we needed to bolster the batting," Collingwood said. "Monty knows what he needs to do."

Nearly eight years have elapsed since Swann's sole ODI appearance and he acquitted himself ably. He completed his 10-over stint for 47 and claimed an excellent first scalp in Kumar Sangakkara, whom he had surprised with turn twice in his first over and eventually dismissed "on the walk", Phil Mustard's stumping also bringing his first international dismissal.

Sri Lanka may not have batted with their customary flair but they were sensible. Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga added 71 in 12 overs while the ball was new before Jayasuriya fell trying to launch Ryan Sidebottom over midwicket and Stuart Broad outfoxed Tharanga as he advanced down the wicket.

Sri Lanka's middle-order accumulated shrewdly, led by Mahela Jayawardene's gentle 66 from 74 balls. England had spoken of intensity and momentum but it is hard to show intensity when a batsman is stroking singles, an attainable target in mind, without a care in the world.

England's batsmen lacked such serenity. Mustard mustered a bold blow or two on debut before toe-ending to mid-off, Collingwood hit across one and Owais Shah was duped by Lasith Malinga's slower ball. Ravi Bopara kept the third umpire busy as he spent most of his innings flinging himself into the dirt. England have some thinking to do.